2019 Class 6A TXHSFB Hipster Picks

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Every year when the summer edition of Dave Campbell’s Texas Football comes out, fans and media alike look at the teams we have at the top of the pre-season rankings to get an idea of who likely makes the trip to Arlington to play for a state title at AT&T Stadium in December.

While the teams ranked highly in the pre-season are there for a good reason, we all know there are always a few mystery guests that pop up with deep playoff runs and sometimes state titles when the season wraps up.  Who are those teams you need to keep an eye on in 2019? We’ve got you covered at DCTF as we bring you our 2019 Hipster Picks to keep in your back pocket as you casually drop them into conversation with your friends from time to time, so once they make that deep run, you can look like a Texas high school football genius.

Abilene

The Eagles have had a rough two seasons missing out on the playoffs and dealing with a rash of injuries in both 2017 and 2018. Former defensive coordinator Mike Fullen was promoted to head coach in early June and he inherits a team that finished 5-5 and returns an impressive 17 starters. Help from a talented sophomore class should add to the mix for the Warbirds in 2019. The big key for Abilene will be holding off Haltom for that top seed in Division II and earning a home playoff game in the bi-district playoffs. Haltom lost a ton from their 13-1 team a year ago, so there is a chance for Abilene High and if they can earn that home bi-district game there’s a greater than zero chance Abilene High could wind up in a regional semi-final.

Mesquite

The Skeeters took a major step forward in 2018 in Jeff Fleener’s second season at the helm as Mesquite earned a playoff appearance. 2019 could be even better for Mesquite High as a dozen starters are back and the Skeeters lower levels look to be loaded. QB Dylan McGill, a Minnesota commit will lead a young offense and he’s fully capable of taking a game over. Seven starters are back on defense and from all accounts Mesquite High will have one of the fastest defensive units in the DFW area. Expect a much improved Mesquite squad in 2019, the big question will be can the Skeeters take the step forward and compete in a top heavy district featuring defending state champion Longview and powerful Rockwall.

Pasadena Dobie

Dobie transitioned to the Wing-T offense a year ago under first year head coach Kevin Berneathy and earned a 7-4 record and impressing in the process. The Longhorns look to push into the top of the district standings and earn some much needed clout for Pasadena ISD football which has been a punching bag at times in the Houston area. Seven starters return on both sides of the ball and the Longhorns have a strong younger group in the pipeline that went 8-1-1 at the JV level. Junior RB Darius Hale is one of the top young running back prospects in the state and is ready for a breakout season. The key for Dobie is to try and break into the higher seeds in Division I and avoid a first-round matchup with Galena Park North Shore, that may be easier said than done with powerful Humble Atascocita in the district.

Austin Anderson

The Trojans are picked by most to finish near the bottom of the standings in a top heavy District 25-6A, but don’t be surprised if Anderson surprises folks. Coach Daniel Hunter welcomes back thirteen starters from a 5-5 team a year ago and he’s got one of the state’s most underrated signal callers in QB Carsten Groos who has the potential to put up big numbers, he’s a proto-type pocket passer and will have the Division I programs flocking to Trojans games in 2019. The key for Anderson to move into a possible fourth place finish will be how their offensive line and linebackers gel, if those groups emerge this is a team that has the firepower to get into the playoff mix and with the right matchup be a tough first round playoff out.

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